NYC Flower Market: Your Go-To Botanical Shopping Guide

Nothing breathes life into a home as much as the addition of fresh cut flowers and potted plants. So, we’ve asked our interior design experts for tips on navigating purchases from the NYC Flower District (or any flower market, for that matter). You’ll be ready to bring the outdoors in, giving your home botanical pops of fragrance and eye-appeal. And for those of you not in the New York City area, there are flower markets scattered across the country for your visiting pleasure.

NYC Flower Market Basics

The NYC Flower District opens at 5 am and stores usually close around noon, so it’s an early bird community! The slowest season is summer and the busiest season is around the holidays, so plan accordingly. You can find the majority of shops between 6th and 7th Avenue on 28th Street. Each store has its own little niche—from shops that only sell fake flowers or vases to shops that only sell orchids and trees. The list goes on. The only way to truly understand the New York Flower Market is to walk through it and pop in to each store. You will soon figure out that each store really does have its own speciality, and that is what’s so special about this place.

While it really depends on what you’re feeling or what types of plants you’re drawn to personally, there’s some crowd favorites to keep an eye out for at the flower district in NYC. If you’re looking for flowers and trees that will last a while, consider picking up some orchids, fig trees, or succulents, which are also popular among current interior design trends. Alternatively, if you gravitate towards unique and rare flowers you’ll want to check out Dutch Flower Line. You can opt for bright colors and unique textures, however, there is nothing wrong with sticking to the basics: peonies, hydrangeas, white tulips! Before heading to the NYC Flower Market consider what vase you’ll be using or make that your first purchase. In order for your arrangement to work, you have to know what kind of vase you’re working with.

Love adding NYC flower market finds into your home, but need a little help refreshing the rest of your interior? Then, schedule a Free Interior Design Consultation to learn more about your options today!

Some people buy for longevity, some people buy for events. No worries if you’re not sure which flowers will look good. That all comes with experimenting and practicing, so get out there and pick one new flower each week, and see which ones you gravitate towards. At the end of the day, flowers are supposed to make you happy. If they aren’t doing that for you, move onto the next one.

Best Time to Shop the NYC Flower Market

If you want to pick from the best selection, you should plan to arrive around 5:30 am, although we’ve found that getting to the market around 7 am is also fine. Sometimes they do run out of certain flowers, so if you are pining for a specific one, you can order in advance and the shops can usually work to accommodate that request.

If you spot a favorite flower at the NYC flower market that you haven’t seen in a long time or is very seasonal, hop at the chance to purchase it, if your budget allows.. There are certain flowers you can justify spending a little more on when you know they will make you happy! Then, you can fill in your arrangement with what’s in season. You know the price will be lower and that they are fresh. In the end, this will give you the perfect balance to a fresh assortment for you home.

Spring tends to be the best for floral shopping at the market, as there is so much color and choices, but here are some standouts to consider from each season.

Fall: Berries, calla lilies, textural branches, eucalyptus, and pods
Winter: Roses, narcissus, amaryllis, and buttercups
Spring: Anemones, peonies, and sweet pea
Summer: Hydrangeas, sunflowers, dahlias, and freesia
Year-round: Orchids and tropical cuts

NYC Flower Market Trends

There is a huge trend in tropical-themed flower arrangements. Brands like Ovando, Brrch Floral, and Metaflora NYC all have businesses and accounts dedicated to this Caribbean flower trend, featuring banana leafs, wild protea, fun colored orchid leaves, and anthurium. Furthermore, artificially dyed baby’s breath and orchids in a range of pastel hues, along with glossy anthuriums, birds of paradise, and hybrid tea roses are populating the new wave of 1980s-inflected arrangements cropping up in New York at the moment.

Looking to Refresh Your Home?

Feeling inspired to refresh your home with more than flowers and plants, but not sure where to start? Schedule a Free Interior Design Consultation for expert assistance today!

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